First report of transmission of canine leishmaniosis through bite wounds from a naturally infected dog in Germany

Abstract

Background: Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is an important zoonosis caused by Leishmania (L.) infantum. Transmission of L. infantum to dogs (and humans) is mainly through the bite of infected sandflies, but the parasite can also be transmitted vertically, venereally and through blood transfusions of infected donors. Additionally, the direct dog-to-dog transmission through bites or wounds is suspected.

Results: In December 2015, a female eight-year-old Jack-Russell-Terrier was tested positive for CanL in Germany (ELISA 74,
IFAT 1:4.000). The dog had never been in an endemic area, had never received a blood transfusion and had never been
used for breeding. Another female Jack-Russell-Terrier (born 2009 in Spain) was kept in the same household between 2011 and 2012. That
dog was imported to Germany in 2011 and was tested positive for leishmaniosis in 2012. The Spanish-born dog had
received several bite wounds, i.a. in the neck, during fights with the German-born Terrier.

Conclusion: This may be the first report of transmission of L. infantum through bite wounds from a naturally infected
dog in Germany.

Keywords: Canine leishmaniosis, Dog-to-dog transmission, Bite wounds, Germany

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Evaluation of a rapid device for serological in-clinic diagnosis of canine angiostrongylosis

Abstract

Background: Angiostrongylus vasorum is a potentially fatal canine nematode. Due to the high variability of clinical signs and the often chronic and subtle course of the infections, the diagnosis is particularly challenging. A rapid in-clinic assay (Angio Detect™ Test, IDEXX Laboratories, Westbrook, Maine, USA) for the serological detection of circulating antigen and intended for routine in-clinic diagnosis has been evaluated.

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Nicht-vektorassoziierte Übertragung der caninen Leishmaniose in Deutschland

Zusammenfassung

In Deutschland leben mittlerweile rund 20.000 mit Leishmaniose infizierte Hunde. Vor allem der Import von Tieren aus endemischen Gebieten und reisebegleitende Hunde führen zum Anstieg der Leishmaniose-Fälle. Neben der epidemiologisch bedeutsamsten Übertragung des Erregers durch Sandmücken, werden zunehmend auch eine venerische Übertragung durch erregerhaltige Samenflüssigkeit und/oder eine trans-/diaplazentare Übertragung der Leishmanien von infizierten Hündinnen auf ihre Welpen diskutiert. In diesem Artikel werden anhand eines aktuellen Fallberichts über eine an Leishmaniose erkrankte Boxer-Hündin und ihre Nachkommen die Auswirkungen einer nicht-vektorassoziierten Erregerübertragung in Deutschland erörtert.

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Emergence of sandflies (Phlebotominae) in Austria, a Central European country

Abstract

The possible existence of autochthonous sandfly populations in Central Europe north of the Alps has long been excluded. However, in the past years, sandflies have been documented in Germany, Belgium, and recently, also in Austria, close to the Slovenian border. Moreover, autochthonous human Leishmania and Phlebovirus infections have been reported in Central Europe, particularly in Germany.

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Morphometric analyses of canine blood microfilariae isolated by the Knott’s test enables Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens species-specific and Acanthocheilonema (syn. Dipetalonema) genus-specific diagnosis

Background

In Europe the most common canine filarial species presenting blood circulating microfilariae (mf) are Dirofilaria immitis, D. repens, Acanthocheilonema (syn. Dipetalonema) dracunculoides and A. (syn. Dip.) reconditum [1]. They are transmitted by haematophagous arthropods: Dirofilaria spp. by mosquitoes, A. reconditum by fleas and lice and A. dracunculoides by ticks. D. immitis, the aetiological agent of canine heartworm disease, is the most pathogenic species for dogs: adults live in the right side of the heart and in the pulmonary artery, causing pulmonary hypertension and congestive heart failure. Adults of D. repens live in the subcutaneous tissue, occasionally causing dermatological problems [2].

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Vector-Borne Diseases – constant challenge for practicing veterinarians: recommendations from the CVBD World Forum

Titel: Vector-Borne Diseases – constant challenge for practicing veterinarians: recommendations from the CVBD World Forum
Inhalt: The human-animal bond has been a fundamental feature of mankind’s history for millennia. The first, and strongest of these, man’s relationship with the dog, is believed to pre-date even agriculture, going back as far as 30,000 years. It remains at least as powerful today. Fed by the changing nature of the interactions between people and their dogs worldwide and the increasing tendency towards close domesticity, the health of dogs has never played a more important role in family life. Thanks to developments in scientific understanding and diagnostic techniques, as well as changing priorities of pet owners, veterinarians are now able, and indeed expected, to play a fundamental role in the prevention and treatment of canine disease, including canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs). The CVBDs represent a varied and complex group of diseases, including anaplasmosis, babesiosis, bartonellosis, borreliosis, dirofilariosis, ehrlichiosis, leishmaniosis, rickettsiosis and thelaziosis, with new syndromes being uncovered every year.
Autor: Gad Baneth, Patrick Bourdeau, Gilles Bourdoiseau, Dwight Bowman, Edward Breitschwerdt, Gioia Capelli, Luis Cardoso, Filipe Dantas-Torres, Michael Day, Jean-Pierre Dedet, Gerhard Dobler, Lluis Ferrer, Peter Irwin, Volkhard Kempf, Barbara Kohn, Michael Lappin, Susan Little, Ricardo Maggi, Guadalupe Miro, Torsten Naucke, Gaetano Oliva, Domenico Otranto, Banie Penzhorn, Martin Pfeffer, Xavier Roura, Angel Sainz, Susan Shaw, SungShik Shin, Laia Solano-Gallego, Reinhard Straubinger et al.
In: Parasites & Vectors

© 2012 Gad Baneth, Patrick Bourdeau, Gilles Bourdoiseau, Dwight Bowman, Edward Breitschwerdt, Gioia Capelli, Luis Cardoso, Filipe Dantas-Torres, Michael Day, Jean-Pierre Dedet, Gerhard Dobler, Lluis Ferrer, Peter Irwin, Volkhard Kempf, Barbara Kohn, Michael Lappin, Susan Little, Ricardo Maggi, Guadalupe Miro, Torsten Naucke, Gaetano Oliva, Domenico Otranto, Banie Penzhorn, Martin Pfeffer, Xavier Roura, Angel Sainz, Susan Shaw, SungShik Shin, Laia Solano-Gallego, Reinhard Straubinger et al. ; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

First report of venereal and vertical transmission of canine leishmaniosis from naturally infected dogs in Germany

Titel: First report of venereal and vertical transmission of canine leishmaniosis from naturally infected dogs in Germany
Inhalt: Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a zoonotic disease caused by Leishmania (L.) infantum. It is endemic to several tropical and subtropical countries but also to the Mediterranean region. It is transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies but occasional non-vector transmissions have been reported, including vertical and horizontal transmission. Findings The authors report a case of CanL in a female boxer dog from Dusseldorf, Germany, that had never been in an endemic region.
Autor: Torsten J Naucke and Susanne Lorentz
In: Parasites & Vectors 2010

© 2012 Torsten J Naucke and Susanne Lorentz; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Combining climatic projections and dispersal ability: a method for estimating the responses of sandfly vector species to climate change

Titel: Combining climatic projections and dispersal ability: a method for estimating the responses of sandfly vector species to climate change.
Inhalt: In the Old World, sandfly species of the genus Phlebotomus are known vectors of Leishmania, Bartonella and several viruses. Recent sandfly catches and autochthonous cases of leishmaniasis hint on spreading tendencies of the vectors towards Central Europe. However, studies addressing potential future distribution of sandflies in the light of a changing European climate are missing.
Autor: Fischer D, Moeller P, Thomas SM, Naucke TJ, Beierkuhnlein C.
In: US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health 2011

© 2011 Fischer D, Moeller P, Thomas SM, Naucke TJ, Beierkuhnlein C.licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Phlebotomus (Transphlebotomus) mascittii Grassi, 1908, in Carinthia: first record of the occurrence of sandflies in Austria (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae).

Titel: Phlebotomus (Transphlebotomus) mascittii Grassi, 1908, in Carinthia: first record of the occurrence of sandflies in Austria (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae).
Inhalt: During an entomology survey in July 2009 and July 2010, 4 males and 22 females of Phlebotomus (Transphlebotomus) mascittii were caught in southeastern Carinthia. These are the first documented records of the occurrence of Phlebotominae in Austria.
Autor: Torsten J. Naucke, Susanne Lorentz, Friedrich Rauchenwald und Horst Aspöck
In: Parasitology Research 2011

© 2011 Naucke TJ, Lorentz S, Rauchenwald F, Aspöck H.

Local transmission of the eye worm Thelazia callipaeda in southern Germany

Titel: Lokale Übertragung des Augenwurm Thelazia callipaeda im südlichen Deutschland.
Local transmission of the eye worm Thelazia callipaeda in southern Germany.

Autoren: Magnis J, Naucke TJ, Mathis A, Deplazes P, Schnyder M.